Ukraine drone blitz hits Russia’s Novorossiysk naval base

The Story in Brief

Ukraine launched a major drone and missile attack on Russia's Novorossiysk naval base overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday. The 'unique' operation struck air defences, piers and port infrastructure at the base, which became Russia's main Black Sea Fleet hub after Moscow relocated ships from occupied Crimea. Three people, including an eight-year-old child, were killed and 24 wounded in Russia's Krasnodar region, said Governor Veniamin Kondratyev. Two of Novorossiysk's three grain terminals were damaged, with one halting operations, the Russian business daily Vedomosti reported.

Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences downed more than 500 Ukrainian drones. The Times Now reports that four Russian warships, including two frigates, were hit. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened retaliation on Wednesday for what he called 'piracy' by European countries boarding sanctioned oil tankers. Russia shows no sign of a new mobilisation, despite Zelenskyy's claim that Putin plans one. The attack renews global grain supply concerns.